Toy



Feb. 8, 1944. RI 2,341,283

TOY

Filed Aug. 11, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Hawk/CZ. Marralsaw B @Mm H. L. MORRISON TOY Feb. 8, 1944.

Filed Aug. 11, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 y WWW e Patented Feb. 8, 1944 UNHTED STATES ii-*ATENT OFFICE TOY Harold L. Morrison, Sacramento, Calif.

Application August 11, 1943, Serial No. 498,231

6 Claims.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in toys of the trundle type and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device of this character comprising a novel construction, combination and arrangement of ground actuated friction driven rollers which, when in operation, will be highly entertaining, especially for children.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a toy of the aforementioned character which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, attractive in appearance and which may be manufactured at low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein- Figure l is a view in side elevation of a toy constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view thereof.

Figure 3 is a view in side elevation of the frame.

Figure 4 is a view in vertical lon itudinal section through one of the rollers.

Figure 5 is a view in side elevation of a modified form of the invention.

Figure 6 is a plan view of one of the rollers of the Figure 5 embodiment.

Figure 7 is a view in side elevation of a second modification.

Figure 8 is a plan view of the blank from which the frame structure of the second modification is formed.

Figure 9 is a plan view of an end portion of another handle modification.

Referring now to the drawings in detail and Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, thereof in particular, it will be seen that reference numeral i designates generally a frame. The frame I is formed from a single length of suitable heavy wire which is bent upon itself at an intermediate point in a manner to form a loop or eye constituting a handle 2. The frame I further includes a pair of rods 3 which extend forwardly from the handle 2 in side abutting engagement, said rods being welded together as at i. Curved arms 5 extend laterally and forwardly from the rods 3. The arms 5 are formed to provide elongated, forwardly and upwardly curved loops 6.

Frictionally driven, ground actuated rollers I of suitable material are operable in the loops 6.

Toward this end, the rollers l have formed in their end portions centrally located bores or sockets 8 for the reception of adjustable, headed pins 9. The pins 9 are frictionally retained inadjusted position in the sockets or bores 8. The headed end portions of the pins 9 project from the ends of the rollers l and are operable in the loops 3. It will thus be seenthat the headed pins 9 function as trunnions which are rotatable in the loops 5 and also movable longitudinally in said loops. Washers It are provided on the pins or trunnions .3 between the loops 6 and the ends of the rollers l. Pulleys II in the form of rubber bands encircle the end portions of the rollers l. The pulleys ll of the adjacent rollers 1 are engageable with each other for frictionally connecting said rollers for rotation in unison.

It is thought that the operation of the device as thus far described. will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, either of the end rollers I may be engaged with the ground or other surface. As the device is pushed or pulled over the ground through the medium of the handle 2 of the frame structure l, the roller 1 which is in contact with the ground is driven thereby. The construction and arrangement is such that the other rollers 1 rest by gravity on the subjacent rollers and are therefore frictionally driven thereby through the pulleys H. The surfaces of the rollers I are to be ornamented or decorated in a manner which will be highly attractive, particularly to children. This ornamentation may include, for example, such means as hounds pursuing a hare, nursery rhymes, et cetera. This is an important and desirable feature of the invention.

In the embodiment of Figures 5 and 6, a wire frame l2 comprises, on its forward end, a pair of laterally and then forwardly and upwardly curved arms l3. Rollers M are mounted between the arms l3, said rollers having bores 15 extending centrally therethrough. The bores l5,

accommodate wire rods I6 which terminate, at their ends, in eyes H which are slidable on the arms I3. Stop collars H! are provided on the arms l3 for the eyes ll. Thus, forward and rearward movement of the rollers It on the arms I3 is positively limited. The operation of this form of the device is substantially similar to that of the embodiment of Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, of the drawings.

Referring now to the modification of Figures 7 and 8 of the drawings, it will be observed that reference numeral I9 designates generally a frame of sheet metal or other suitable material. The

frame l9 comprises a transverse bar 20, from the ends of which forwardly and upwardly directed segmental arms 2| project. The arms 2| have formed in their lower portions arcuate slots 22. Rollers 23, substantially similar in operation to the rollers 1, are operable in the slots 22. A handle bar 24 extends rearwardly from the bar 20. This form of the invention is also substantially similar in operation to that illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, of the drawings.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 9, the frame is again of suitable wire construction Which is bent at an intermediate point to provide a handle 25 in the form of a loop. Forwardly from the handle 25, the wire is twisted together to form a rod or shaft 26.

It is believed that the many advantages of a toy constructed in accordance with the present invention will be readily understood, and although preferred embodiments of the device are as illustrated and described, it is to be understood that further modifications and changes in the details of construction may be resorted to which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. A toy of the character described comprising a frame including a pair of spaced, parallel arms on one end, and a series of rollers rotatably and slidably mounted between the arms, said rollers being engaged by gravity with each other and frictionally connected for actuation in unison on the frame.

2. A toy of the character described comprising a frame including a pair of spaced, parallel arms on one end, a series of rollers rotatably and slidably mounted on the arms, the adjacent rollers being engaged by gravity with each other, and pulleys on the end portions of the rollers frictionally connecting said rollers for rotation in unison.

3. A toy of the character described comprising a frame including a single length of wire, said frame comprising a handle on one end, parallel side abutting rods extending forwardly from the handle and secured together, a pair of arms extending outwardly, forwardly and upwardly from the rods, elongated arcuate loops on the arms, and a series of rollers rotatably and slidably mounted in the loops, said rollers being frictionally connected for rotation in unison, the adjacent rollers being engaged with each other by gravity.

4. A toy of the character described comprising a wire frame including a pair of arms comprising elongated, arcuate loops, a series of rollers, said rollers having sockets in their end portions, pins adjustably mounted in the sockets, said pins including headed outer end portions projecting from the rollers and rotatably and slidably engaged in the loops, and pulleys mounted on the rollers and frictionally engaged with each other for actuating said rollers in unison.

5. A toy of the character described comprising a wire frame including a pair of spaced, parallel, longitudinally curved arms, a series of rollers mounted between the arms, said rollers having bores extending centrally therethrough, wire rods passing through the bores and including eyes on their ends slidably mounted on the arms, and means for limiting the sliding movement of the eyes on the arms, the rollers being engaged with each other by gravity for actuation in unison,

6. A toy of the character described comprising a frame including a metallic bar, substantially segmental arms projecting from the ends of the bar and having longitudinally curved slots therein, a series of rollers rotatably and slidably mounted in the slots, and a handle projecting from the bar.

HAROLD L. MORRISON. 

